SIR Paul McCartney is set to release a new solo album that was recorded during the lockdown on his Sussex farm.

The star, 78 recorded the album spontaneously in nine weeks during the coronavirus lockdown in Peasmarsh.

McCartney hadn’t planned to release an album in 2020, but in the isolation of “rockdown,” he soon found himself fleshing out some existing musical sketches and creating even more new ones.

Before long, the collection of songs let to McCartney III.

It follows 1970's McCartney I and 1980's McCartney II, both of which were also recorded alone.

The Beatles bandmember said had "no idea" he would make end up making an album.

He said: "'I was living lockdown life on my farm with my family and I would go to my studio every day.

"I had to do a little bit of work on some film music and that turned into the opening track and then when it was done I thought what will I do next?

"I had some stuff I'd worked on over the years but sometimes time would run out and it would be left half-finished so I started thinking about what I had.

"Each day I'd start recording with the instrument I wrote the song on and then gradually layer it all up, it was a lot of fun.

"It was about making music for yourself rather than making music that has to do a job. So, I just did stuff I fancied doing. I had no idea this would end up as an album."

The album's songs were built from live takes of McCartney singing over guitar or piano accompaniments before later being overdubbed later with his bass guitar and drum parts.

McCartney has used hallowed instruments, including a Mellotron from Abbey Road studios used by the Beatles.

The new album comes after Sir Paul admitted he was grateful he got to reunite with bandmate John Lennon before his death.

Fans can expect the album to be released on December 11.